Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Cardinals 4, Astros 2
ST. LOUIS — First-year starter Kyle McClellan became the National League's first six-game winner and backup catcher Gerald Laird hit a two-run double as the Cardinals jumped a half-game ahead of the Reds atop the Central. McClellan allowed two runs in eight innings and had five strikeouts. None of the 29 Astros batters he faced had a three-ball count. "He was hitting his spots," the Astros' Clint Barmes said. "If you took any pitches, it seemed like you were down 0-2."